The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-05-18

without an introduction. and say in our frank
and beautiful American way:
Say, mister, what might your business
beFs
He lost his first election through small
circumstance. He ordered a broiled beef
steak at little rustic wayside inn. His oppo-
nent got wind of it and played ii upon a
thousand strings, TIL the independent voters
rose 10 man and said:
wen have no sich stuck up 'ristacrat
holdin' office IN this deestrick- A man that
fried beefsteak amt good enough fur, amt
good enuf fur US. Let him go somewhere
else with them nonarchial ideesi'
This unlucky mistake was, however, for
given him in time He possessed splendid
ability; he was true as steel. He had clear,
high minded scorn of crooked ways and
political dickering that worked against him
at first. In time, though. as always, this
very quality counted in his favor, and then
he had all his own way. More than all, the
new man was matehless orator. He carried
mems hearts in his hand by the power of his
eloquence.
Shirley had heard of him frequently, and
he of her Their two atmospheres had wild
ened and widened till at last they touched
L hear" said her brother Robert one day.
that your great Congressman Dumoray is
to speak tomorrow. Do you know him,
Shirleyge
Il met him-once, some years ago, answered
Shirley calmly.
Your people seem to be losing their heads
about him Is he such great things they
say!"
Il dent know Shirley answered, still
more calmly. 81 don't know enough about
him to say. That awful reverence for Off
cials, even the highest, that some people have.
in a general vxav I never did faal and pever.
expect to-
"Whyn
"Whys Because l know how they are
made
Philip Dumoray had gone back to his west
ern home and plunged into political life Its
feverish excitements, its very hazards and
wild uncertainties suited him On his side
too, there was something to be overlived a
burning heartaehe, haunting pain and re-
gret that must be deadened ere peace came
again. The very knowledge that, in political
life, to-day he might be upon the crest of the
top wave of popular favor and tomorrow in
the trough of the sea, drew him Strongly. 1t
gave him intense and constant mental occu-
patton. He welcomed it as one in fever well
comes the cool, salt breeze from the sea-
He could dispose of his life as be pleased
He had only himself to think Of As be
tween his fate and Shirley's he had far the
best of it.
Philip Dumoray was the champion of a
new movement in American politics, a move
ment which has for its aim the rights of man
as the fathers meant them when they founded
this government. The simple announcement
| that he was to speak drew great throng to
| the house.
The galleries were crowded with ladies,
many of them in bright dresses and hats, CON
/ final will ha bobft 0f+ +ha;-
escorts. Dumoray was to present great
memorial from the people to their representa-
| tives in congress. There was buzz of ex-
| pectation as the hand of the hall clock pointed
| to the hour.
| Shirley sat in her place, the faithful Eng
| hsh brother by her side A man entered
| quietly, tall and commanding, of superb
| physical presence and perfect grace of man.
| ner.
The buzz broke into volume of sound.
Shirley's eyes swan in mist. Her heart
throbs came thick and fast. She clutched
! the wood of the seat till it made her hand
! ache, afterwards. She sat as motionless and
silent as if she had been marble.
| Ah-
He fascinated her still, and so many years
| had passed that at last this weak minded
woman had quite forgiven him.
| He smiled and bowed to those about him,
and then sat down grave and little PALE
| perhaps but quiet and at ease. Shirley saw
| him plainly. His hair was white now, thick
and clustering still, yet snow white But the
strangely brilliant dark gray eyes were the
same, the lofty, i6eal face turned toward the
| throng was the same. High, generous
thought and deed keep the human face for
| ever beautiful
He sat and looked straight before him. A
hand touched his arm. Some notes and dis
patches were given him. One of the notes
| read:
"Permit an old friend to congratulate you
very sincerely, and to wish you success.
SHIRLEY CARsToNE"
Then it was the turn of somebody else to
start, with great heart beat, and as sud-
denly fall back into stiffness.
He folded the lit lie white paper smoothly
and put it into his breast pocket If his hand
trembled slightly, nobody knew it The
shining, eagle-like glance roamed over the
galleries aimlessly, it seemed, but in reality
looking for her who was still the one woman
of all the world TO Philip Dumoray.
He found her. 1t may be that some subtle
soul telegraph sent messages from her to him
1t may be that the invisible silver line be
| tween them had never been broken, in spite
of all and of all these years.
silent, thrilling look of recognition passed
between the two. 1t was only for an instant,
and none saw it but themselves Yet in that
lightning flash there was inspiration for him,
there was-God knows what for her. She
could not have told herself, only that she saw
him once more.
Dumoray had never spoken before as he
did that day.
They said his speech was such that it car
ried even those who were opposed to him off
their feet.
He was master in the use Of simple direct
Anglo-Saxon, and at the same time his
language was perfect in its grace and polish.
His voice was a ringing music; every sentence
told like a hammer stroke. His speech
stirred the blood and thrilled the heart 1t
was one of those marvellous orations to which
the scholar and the unlettered man listened
| with like enthusiasm
He grew more and more impassioned as he
went on, till the vast audience were fas
cinated and melted as one man. Sounds OF
applause, which could not be quite checked
even there, interrupted him at short intervals
so that he waited a little for it to subside
Evermore in these pauses the starlike eye
sought Shirley's, the grand head turned un
consciously toward where she sat. And none
knew it but Shirley. As for her she listened
with beating heart and shining eyes, hel
thought repeating constantly: " It's jus
what 1 would have said myself, the very
words
CuADrEp w